Posted: Sep 22, 2008 06:05 PM PDTUpdated: Sep 22, 2008 07:02 PM PDTSPOKANE -- Believe it or not the state of Washington has now declared washing your car in your driveway harmful.Officials are citing that washing your car in your driveway is harmful, according to the state Department of Ecology, because all the chemicals, oil, dirt and soap that was on your car was getting flushed down into the state's waterways and eventually back to people's drinking water.The state is looking for cities and counties to reduce what flows into their storm drains in an effort to keep the state's waterways clean and right now Spokane is on a five-year plan to meet certain storm water regulations. One way of doing that is reducing certain types of run off like the soapy residue that comes from washing your car at your home.Right now in the city of Spokane there is a regulation that only storm water should flow into the storm drains, but the regulation is not backed up by any enforcement. The city is working to figure out just how they're going to enforce the new regulations. City officials anticipate releasing more information on storm water run off enforcement within the next year or so."

The last time I used an automated car wash was about two weeks ago and it was $10. I really don't want to have to pay every week to wash my truck . Are there any other states with a law like this and if so is it enforced?

ya know-THIS shows you what BONEHEADS they are! Do you have any idea how much acidic and chemical badness accumulates on even the street you live on...over a long dry period-then a good rain comes along and agitates all that stuff loose and rushes it all into the "storm drain" anyway. Any amount of washing of your car is NOT even close to that! If anything, the soap you use tends to neutralize the acids and dirt coming off your car-then the soap biodegrades anyway-so WTF???? These guys are out of line with this! Just another F/U to the working class folks!

We usually have restrictions like this too, but it's because of drought. If we go for a week without rain a state of emergency is declared, watering lawns is banned, washing cars is banned, and serving water in restaurants without explicitly asking for it is banned!

I detail as a hobby and I can tell you that you REALLY do not want to run your truck through an automated car wash. Minus the expense, it is really hard on the paint. Swirls, spider webs, the whole nine yards.I live in Washington State also, and they are always coming up with some new stupid rule like this one.~Mike~

I detail as a hobby and I can tell you that you REALLY do not want to run your truck through an automated car wash. Minus the expense, it is really hard on the paint. Swirls, spider webs, the whole nine yards.I live in Washington State also, and they are always coming up with some new stupid rule like this one.~Mike~

There is a local car wash in town stating they recycle their water. When I seen the sign, I asked the owner how this works. All of the water they use is recycled and they add chemicals to clean up the water. He said on Monday's when they open up, the water really stinks, so they add clorox to disipate the smell. I really don't want to take my truck to this car wash after talking to him.

SERIOUSLY!!! people get paid for this shit! About the dumbest study ever! Where did the dirt come from that you are washing off your car? FROM THE STREET! where does the water go when it rains on the street. IN YOUR DRINKING WATER!

Conclusion.... Ban all automobiles.... YEAH RIGHT!

Or maybe we need to spend billions of dollars on street steam cleaning vacuum trucks and clean the streets ever couple days then clean all the water before dumping it in the drain.